TKW to present wastewater alternatives study at public meeting

The Captiva Community Panel will host a public presentation of Captiva's long-term wastewater alternatives on Jan. 23 starting at 7 p.m. at the Captiva Civic Center, at 11550 Chapin Lane. It will be presented by Doug Eckmann, of TKW Consulting Engineers. Jay Brown, chair of the Wastewater Committee, will chair the meeting on behalf of the Captiva Community Panel. Historically, Captiva has relied extensively on conventional septic systems to process wastewater. In 2016, the CCP formed the Wastewater Committee to investigate alternative long-term wastewater strategies. The committee conducted information-gathering meetings with Lee County staff, Sanibel community leaders and staff, septic system maintenance firms, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and the management of the FGUA treatment facility serving the South Seas Island Resort.

It then recommended to Lee County that an engineering firm be retained to evaluate alternative wastewater strategies, which may include the possibility of creating central sewer service or a program to upgrade septic systems over time to higher performance standards. The proposal was presented to the Lee County and funding obtained. The project was awarded to TKW Consulting Engineers.

TKW completed the project in September. A copy of the study can be found on the CCP's website captivacommunitypanel.com. Also posted online is a copy of the panel's summary of the study.

The upcoming public presentation is intended to be an "in season" forum where island property owners can be briefed on the study findings, plus future efforts planned by the CCP's Wastewater Committee.

There will be time for questions and public comment.